Posted on 09/24/2004 6:29:46 PM PDT by Cracker72
PlanetOut Network
SUMMARY: California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (news - web sites) signed a hate crimes bill on Wednesday that includes crimes motivated by a person's sexual orientation or gender identity.
California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed a hate crimes bill on Wednesday that includes crimes motivated by a person's sexual orientation or gender identity.
It was the second time this month that Schwarzenegger, a Republican, signed legislation that protects the rights of LGBT residents in the state. He signed a law on Sept. 13 that required insurance companies to provide coverage to registered domestic partners.
Known as the Omnibus Hate Crimes Act of 2004 (or SB 1234), the new law creates a uniform definition of a hate crime that includes offenses based on sexual orientation and gender identity. It also covers crimes against victims based on their associations with people who are gay or transgender.
"California is working to unify its citizens as others attempt to divide us," Cheryl Jacques, president of the Washington, D.C.-based Human Rights Campaign, said in a statement. "We hope this welcome development acts as a beacon to Congress to take similar steps in protecting gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender Americans from the scourge of hate crimes."
The U.S. House of Representatives was expected to begin considering a similar national hate crimes law, known as the Local Law Enforcement Enhancement Act (LLEEA, S. 966/H.R. 4204), later this week.
The Log Cabin Republicans (news - web sites), the nation's largest gay and lesbian GOP group, reacted to the new law as a victory for the moderate side of the Republican Party.
"We can be the party of the Gov. Schwarzenegger that includes equality for the LGBT community, as part of a mainstream Republican message of hope, not fear, or we can be the party of Lou Sheldon and Alan Keyes (news - web sites), that divides our families by preaching intolerance and hate," said Jeff Bissiri, chairman of Log Cabin California.
California's new hate crimes law was written by Sen. Sheila Kuehl, D-Santa Monica, and sponsored by Equality California, the statewide LGBT rights group.
crap.
The gay activists are the divisive and extreme ones with their hatred, intolerance and bigotry against traditional religious believers.
Why doesn't he pass a law protecting white males like me against crimes? Anyone have the number to ACL-Useless?
This was simply a long-overlooked loophole in the law and Schwarzenegger was perfectly right to close it. FINALLY, it's against the law to assault or murder a homosexual! ;-)
I hate the "gays" and the transgendered! Wanna start a hate group?
You forgot the /sarcasm
I've always felt I was a lesbian trapped in a man's body.
A crime is a crime, what the actor has on his mind is impossible to know or guess.
Is this tongue in cheek?
You guys are such bigots. Apologize to all the gay FReepers and give it a rest.
what do long cabins have to do with being gay???
The way your post is beiong received, Doctor, I expect mine is being reported to the highest authorities!
RINO.
(Let me repeat that winky smiley face so you UNDERSTAND-- ;-)
# 15 was to ya! And oh, welcome to the humourless zone.
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